Adaptive transform coding via quadtree-based variable blocksize DCT

An adaptive transform coding algorithm using a quadtree-based variable blocksize DCT (discrete cosine transform) is introduced to achieve a better tradeoff between bit rate and image quality. The choice of appropriate blocksize is determined by a mean-based decision rule that can discriminate various image contents for better visual quality. Some simulation results are given. It is found that the same or better image quality can be obtained with lower average bit rate